Margie Engmann
Writer
- IN THE ROUGH:
A Two-Year Writing Journey from Idea to Draft to Manuscript
This two-year program is for ten creators who want to evolve a long-form work of writing, whether a memoir, collection of essays, graphic novel, prose poem, or another writing form not yet known…
In the Rough is designed for writers with an established writing practice who are ready to develop a book-length draft through rigor, critique, and learning over the course of two years with a small cohort of writers and two facilitators.
This program includes:
- Monthly hour-long Zoom meetings will provide both community, education, and support.
- Four 3-day retreats, held virtually where up to 75 manuscript pages (20,000 words) will be read by both faculty and cohort members and discussed.
- Rigorous feedback so the work gets better – along with instruction on how to both give and receive feedback.
- A diverse group of published guest authors for monthly Zoom gatherings and retreats.
- Cohort members will be encouraged and advised on how to create other productive opportunities for writing together and creating community each month as well.
- Required and suggested reading lists and facilitated group discussion
- Focused Q and A monthly with faculty.
At the end of two years, the creator will have up to 300 pages that have been reviewed with feedback and consideration of structure, point of view, voice, dialogue, character, scene, and story narrative.
In addition, cohort members will learn from a wide variety of writers, discuss craft books and other published works in detail, build a strong and lasting relationship with members of the cohort and faculty, as well as learn from guest lecturers and teachers.
Read more about upcoming dates and the fee at the link below:
LEARN MOREOnline Writing Classes
Writing Op-Eds that Create Change
with author Patti Digh
The next Op-Ed class will be scheduled in 2023.
Now more than ever, our progressive voices need to be heard. Writing and publishing well-written, strong, and clear op-ed essays is one way to speak up. Local and national papers and online outlets are all target audiences for your voice.
Come learn how to write effective and compelling op-ed pieces:
- Determine the issue you want to take on (ex: reproductive rights, gun control, voting rights, environmental justice, etc.)
- Clarify your stance
- Surface a story to tell
- Learn to write 850-word essays that engage, educate, and incite others to action
- Learn how to submit your work
- Submit at least one op-ed by the end of the course
Where:
In an online classroom and Zoom.
When:
Meets Mondays from 12-1:15pm ET for four weeks, with exercises each week in the online classroom.
Cost:
$99
Who:
Patti Digh is the author of eight published books and many dozens of op-eds starting when she was in the 6th grade, protesting Nestle’s war against breastfeeding in developing nations where the company wanted to increase their baby formula sales.
Online Writing Classes
WRITING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS/RETREATS
2023
including one just for K-12 Teachers
Women writing in community is a beautiful thing to witness. These are among my very favorite things–virtual weekend and writing retreats for women and femme-identified folk. All genres and levels of writers are welcomed. If you want to build your writing muscle, understand what keeps you from writing, and want to rededicate energy to writing, join us! The first retreat for 2023 will be January 5-8. Make good on your relentless New Year’s goal to write more and join me then! Only six writers can attend each retreat to ensure personal attention.
Here are the retreat dates for 2023. Please note the July dates are only for K-12 teachers at a discounted rate.
To learn more click on the links below:
- Jan 5-8, 2023 – SOLD OUT!
- Apr 13-16, 2023 – SOLD OUT!
- Jul 6-9, 2023 (Limited to K-12 teachers)
- Sept 7-10, 2023
- Nov 9-12, 2023
We gather as a small community of 6 women over four days to explore that power and use it to deepen our own self-expression. This virtual writing retreat is designed to excite, motivate, inspire, and inform your writing (and other forms of creative expression). We will launch ourselves into explorations of words and colors and images – together. All levels of writers are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
You will get practice in writing and sharing your work as well as exploring the work of others in the group and beyond. It is suggested that you devote the whole weekend to the retreat as you would do if we were meeting at a retreat center face-to-face. This will give you the best opportunity to experience the retreat fully.
Here’s our basic 4-day retreat schedule:
Thursday
- 7-9pm EDT – Opening Circle
Friday
- 10-1pm EDT – Workshop
- 2-5pm EDT – Writing Together or Separately
- 7-9pm EDT – Evening Circle (Reading and Responding to Our Work)
Saturday
- 10-1pm EDT – Workshop
- 2-5pm EDT – Writing Together or Separately
- 7-9pm EDT – Evening Circle (Reading and Responding to Our Work)
Sunday
- 10-12pm EDT – Closing Circle
Readings (curated short stories and essays) will be provided to participants three weeks before the retreat. You will need a computer with Zoom capability, a notebook and pen or pencil, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Those who register will be sent a short questionnaire four weeks before the retreat to help me tailor the retreat to your individual needs. If you would like to schedule a 45-minute 1:1 session during the retreat, you’ll have an opportunity to do so when completing that questionnaire.
Email support@pattidigh.com to receive registration materials. Put WRITING FROM HOME in the subject line of your email.
To learn more click on the links below:
- Jan 5-8, 2023 – SOLD OUT!
- Apr 13-16, 2023 – SOLD OUT!
- Jul 6-9, 2023 (Limited to K-12 teachers)
- Sept 7-10, 2023
- Nov 9-12, 2023
DAILY WRITING PROMPTS:
Before you register, please read “Cost,” below. (put this at very top)
In 2021, I started a grand experiment of offering writing prompts every Monday through Friday morning during the year to those hoping to create and sustain a writing practice. Many folks have asked about donating to keep them going year after year, and that would be helpful if doing so won’t have a negative impact on your own livelihood. Your donation will ensure another year of NEW prompts and will help pay for the infrastructure needed to get them to you every M-F!
No matter when you sign up, you’ll get a year of prompts. In the New Year, we’ll start a FB group where you can share your writing with others receiving the prompts if you’d like! It is fascinating to see all the places people go with the same prompt!
Cost
You are invited to give what you can to help keep the Writing Prompts going, whether that is $1 or $20 or more, or less. Only you know what you can afford to give, and the value that accrues to you by being part of this community, so we invite you to give what you can from the heart and in a way that will not harm your livelihood.
In the spirit of equity pricing, if you are socialized as white and benefit from the unearned social advantages that come with that assignation, we ask that you give generously within your means, to allow our BIPOC family (and other historically excluded groups) to give less and to allow us to provide scholarships.
All are welcome, regardless of your ability to pay. If giving proves to be a hardship for you, please enter $1 and then use the code you will see in the product description to sign up for free. [first, enter $1 as your price, click “Add To Cart,” and then enter the code at checkout to register for free]
LEARN MORECoaching Sessions with Patti Digh
Are you interested in private one-on-one coaching with Patti or Manuscript Evaluation Sessions?